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Lupus

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Lupus

If you have lupus, something goes wrong with your body's defense system, called the immune system. In lupus, your immune system attacks your body's healthy tissues and organs. In the most common type of lupus, called systemic lupus erythematosus, the immune system can damage many parts of the body, including the:

• joints
• skin
• kidneys
• heart
• lungs
• blood vessels
• brain

In some people with lupus, only one system of the body, such as the skin or joints, is affected. Other people with lupus may have symptoms in many parts of their body.

Some common lupus symptoms are:

• joint pain or swelling
• muscle pain
• fever with no known cause
• red rashes, often on the face (also called the "butterfly rash")

Symptoms may come and go. The times when you have symptoms are called flares.

There is no one test to diagnose lupus, and it may take months or years to make the diagnosis. There is no cure for lupus. But there are effective treatments. Treatments include drugs to:

• reduce swelling and pain
• prevent or reduce flares
• calm the immune system
• reduce or prevent damage to joints

Many more women than men have lupus. Lupus is three times more common in black women than in white women. It is also more common in women of Hispanic/Latina, Asian, and Native American descent.

The cause of lupus is not known. Genes may play a role, since lupus can run in families. Other factors that may help cause lupus include:

• stress
• sunlight
• disease-causing germs

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Frequently Asked Questions - Lupus - This publication contains information on Lupus, a disease that affects your immune system causing it to attack healthy cells. It explains whom Lupus affects, the different types of Lupus, its signs, symptoms, causes, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also contains information on how to cope with the pain and stress of having Lupus and whom to contact for more information.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/lupus.htm

2.   Lupus Nephritis - This publication contains information on Lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system.

   http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/lupusnephritis/index.htm

3.   LUPUS: Patient Information Sheets - These patient information sheets are excerpts from LUPUS: A Patient Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals. The patient information sheets in this chapter cover a range of topics about lupus and lupus medications and can help with this aspect of patient care. It includes a total of 16 patient information sheets.

   http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/lupusguide/chp7.htm

4.   NINDS Neurological Sequelae Of Lupus Information Page - This brief on-line publication will provide information on lupus consisting of a description, treatment options, prognosis and additional research being conducted. It also lists contact information for organizations that can provide with additional information regarding lupus.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/lupus/lupus.htm

5. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Copyright © ACR) - This fact sheet explains the cause, diagnosis and treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It also gives a list of organizations that can provide additional resources.

   http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/sle_new.asp?aud=pat

Organizations

1.   National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
2. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
3. American College of Rheumatology
4. Arthritis Foundation
5. Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
6. National Jewish Medical and Research Center

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.